Brazil footie legend Pele's statue to be unveiled in Rio

Johannesburg, Jan 24(ANI): A life-size, bronze statue honouring Brazilian football legend Pele is set to be unveiled in June for the reopening of Rio's revamped iconic Maracana Stadium.

Well-known Brazilian sculptor Ique is presently putting the final touches to the 300kg statue, based on photographs of a goal Pele scored in Brazil's 4-1 win against Czechoslovakia during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Sport24 reports.

Ique said it is a difficult work as it is the moment when Pele jumps and pumps his fist into the air to celebrate his goal.

The statue was modelled in several parts in plastiline, which does not dry like clay and can be handled more easily although it costs 10 times more in Brazil, the paper reported.

It will be erected inside the renovated, 79 000-seat Maracana arena and will be inaugurated on June 2 during a Brazil-England friendly game a few days before the opening of the Confederations Cup, a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup.